International Education Financial Aid Blog » Study in Germanyhttp://blog.iefa.org
A blog for information, advice, updates and thoughts on funding an international education -- for international students that want to study in the US, as well as US students that want to study abroad.Fri, 31 Jul 2015 11:01:08 +0000en-UShourly1Question 1 of the Financial Aid Fun Contest Released!http://blog.iefa.org/2014/07/question-1-of-the-financial-aid-fun-contest-released.html
http://blog.iefa.org/2014/07/question-1-of-the-financial-aid-fun-contest-released.html#commentsWed, 02 Jul 2014 11:32:43 +0000http://blog.iefa.org/?p=2467Financial Aid Fun Contest: Question 1 Deadline: July 9th at 3pm EST International Student Loan and International Student have combined forces during the month of July to bring you three great chances to win $100! Yesterday the Financial Aid Fun contest was announced and today question 1 of the Financial Aid Fun Contest released! All […]

International Student Loan and International Student have combined forces during the month of July to bring you three great chances to win $100! Yesterday the Financial Aid Fun contest was announced and today question 1 of the Financial Aid Fun Contest released! All you need to do is find the correct answer to the question (you can find help here), then post the correct answer either to this blog or one of the following:

If you submit the correct answer you’ll be entered into the drawing to win $100! You only have until July 9th at 3pm EST to submit your answer, so make sure you post your answer as soon as possible!

The question you must correctly answer is:

What is a co-signer?

Time is limited so start searching now and post your answer before the deadline. If you aren’t the winner this week make sure you come back next week. There will be a new question posted, meaning a new chance to win $100!

WINNER UPDATE:

If you missed the announcement of the winner for the first question- here he is:

Islam Taher

“A cosigner is someone who guarantees that if the borrower cannot pay back the loan, they will be legally responsible to pay back the debt. In other words, the cosigner is taking on a huge responsibility for the international student loan or study abroad loan since they are being asked to accept the responsibility of paying back the total loan amount plus any interest.”

Congrats Islam! For those who did not win, don’t worry, just answer our next question for a chance to win!

]]>http://blog.iefa.org/2014/07/question-1-of-the-financial-aid-fun-contest-released.html/feed11Tips for Writing an Effective Scholarship Essayhttp://blog.iefa.org/2014/03/tips-writing-effective-scholarship-essay.html
http://blog.iefa.org/2014/03/tips-writing-effective-scholarship-essay.html#commentsTue, 18 Mar 2014 13:03:42 +0000http://blog.iefa.org/?p=2158While there are many sources of financial aid, scholarships are by far one of the best ways a student can offset some of the costs associated with pursuing a degree. That being said, most scholarships require students to write an essay in response to a provided prompt. The scholarship essay is typically the biggest hurdle […]

]]>While there are many sources of financial aid, scholarships are by far one of the best ways a student can offset some of the costs associated with pursuing a degree. That being said, most scholarships require students to write an essay in response to a provided prompt.

The scholarship essay is typically the biggest hurdle students face when applying for scholarships, so we will explain why the scholarship essay is actually the best opportunity for students to secure the scholarship, then we will provide some important tips to keep in mind when doing an effective scholarship essay all of your own.

The Essay is a Great Opportunity for Applicants

The essay is one of the most important components in a scholarship application because it helps the scholarship provider to narrow down their choices from a range of applicants that meet the application criteria (and, typically, most people applying will have similar academic standing, extra-curricular activities, interests and goals). That being said, the essay is also the best opportunity for students to differentiate themselves from the other applicants, and really catch the attention of the scholarship provider.

Essay Writing Tips

1. Tailor each response to the particular scholarship

It’s important that you not only directly respond to the prompt given by the award directions, but remember who the organization is: Who are they specifically looking to give the scholarship to? What qualities are they looking for in a recipient? Try to highlight those qualities in yourself while staying on topic.

Make the essay passionate enough to stand out, personal enough to distinguish yourself as the ideal recipient, and directly tailored to the provider—write (eloquently) for your audience!!

2. Have someone else edit/proofread

The last thing anyone wants to do after writing a personalized essay that can make or break their application is read it over again (and over again, and over again). Plus, it is just general good proofreading practice to get a second set of eyes to edit a document. So, edit the paper yourself, then have someone else proofread and suggest edits in addition. Better safe than sorry!

3.Remember all the standard essay qualities

In addition to distinguishing yourself as the ideal recipient of whichever scholarship it is you’re applying for, the scholarship essay also has to demonstrate your writing abilities. As important as the content, the ability to write effectively is a major criterion for providers. Remember to plan your response ahead of time, use proper grammar, and demonstrate your mastery of language (but not at the expense of being clear or concise!).

Check out our most recent Google Hangout where we gave you tips on writing your scholarship essay:

]]>http://blog.iefa.org/2014/03/tips-writing-effective-scholarship-essay.html/feed0Travel Video Content Launched – Now Is Your Chance To Win $4,000!http://blog.iefa.org/2012/09/travel-video-content-launched-now-is-your-chance-to-win-4000.html
http://blog.iefa.org/2012/09/travel-video-content-launched-now-is-your-chance-to-win-4000.html#commentsFri, 14 Sep 2012 16:08:25 +0000http://blog.iefa.org/?p=765That’s right, if you are currently studying outside your home country – or if you want to study abroad, you have the chance to win $4,000! The 2012 Travel Video Content hosted by InternationalStudent.com has just opened allowing you to submit your video with the opportunity to add $4,000 to your travel budget. As the […]

]]>That’s right, if you are currently studying outside your home country – or if you want to study abroad, you have the chance to win $4,000! The 2012 Travel Video Content hosted by InternationalStudent.com has just opened allowing you to submit your video with the opportunity to add $4,000 to your travel budget.

As the 7th annual Travel Video Contest, this could be your year to win! To enter, submit a video of less than 5 minutes explaining why you want to study or travel abroad! If you are currently abroad, then talk about a trip you’d like to take and why.

Check out previous winners to get those ideas flowing, and submit your video before the deadline, October 31st. The winner of the Travel Video Contest will be announced on the InternationalStudent.com website the week of November 12-16, International Education Week.

In addition to the grand prize of $4,000, the winner will get their very own blog on International Student to document their trip and share their experience with viewers. This blog will start immediately after the winner is announced, and will continue through the trip until return to school. For more information, check out the Travel Video Contest for rules and regulations, to see previous videos, and learn how to submit your video.

]]>http://blog.iefa.org/2012/09/travel-video-content-launched-now-is-your-chance-to-win-4000.html/feed2Humboldt Foundation Provides Generous Grants for Study or Research in Germanyhttp://blog.iefa.org/2011/05/humboldt-foundation-provides-generous-grants-for-study-or-research-in-germany.html
http://blog.iefa.org/2011/05/humboldt-foundation-provides-generous-grants-for-study-or-research-in-germany.html#commentsFri, 06 May 2011 15:18:00 +0000http://www.internationalfinancialaidblog.com/?p=150Are you a German scholar, or do you want to study or research in Germany for an extended period? The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation supports researchers and scholars that come to Germany from all around the world, and it supports German scholars and scientists that research and study around the world. The Foundation has a […]

]]>Are you a German scholar, or do you want to study or research in Germany for an extended period? The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation supports researchers and scholars that come to Germany from all around the world, and it supports German scholars and scientists that research and study around the world. The Foundation has a variety of programs, and they have this to say about their selection criteria:

“If you would like to become a member of the Humboldt Family, only one thing counts: your own excellent performance. ”

Humboldt Research Fellowship Program: With this massive program, the Foundation provides 200 awards each year. The awards support scholars of all nationalities and disciplines, enabling them to carry out long-term research projects (6 to 12 months) in Germany. Fellowships are awarded on the basis of scholarly achievement alone. PhD required, under 40, proficient in German or English, from any country in the world. This fellowship comes with a monthly stipend, travel costs, language training, and family allowances.

German Chancellor Fellowship Program: Under this program, the Foundation provides ten awards to US citizens, each for a one year stay in Germany for research or study. Its a post-graduate or professional award, providing a monthly stipend of 2,000 to 3,000 euro. Application deadline is 31 October, and a bachelors degree is required.